The Learners of Division 16

Ms K Shellard and Ms A Clouston - Grade 1/2 Class

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Making Pizzelle Cookies

January 8, 2024 / / 1 Comment

As a Math/Science/holiday activity we made Italian Pizzelle cookies with Ms. Ballarin’s class. Ms Ballarin and I both have pizzelle makers at home, mine was given to me by my mom. While making the dough, we used Math concepts to measure using measuring cups and spoons. In Science, we also explored changes in matter through heating and cooling. It was very exciting for the students to make cookies in a new way. Each child ate one cookie at school and came home with two. We hope you were able to get a taste too!

Big Idea: Materials can be changed through physical and chemical processes

First Peoples Principles of Learning: Learning takes patience and time

Curriculum Competencies:

  • Observe objects and events in familiar contexts
  • Ask questions about familiar objects and events
  • Make simple predictions about familiar objects and events
  • Make observations
  • Develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry, and problem solving

Core Competency: Critical Thinking and Reflective Thinking

  • I can ask questions and consider options. I can use my observations, experience, and imagination to draw conclusions and make judgments.

 

 

 

 

Pancake Breakfast

January 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Our last day of school was our annual pancake breakfast and pj day! We were in the first group that went down and I didn’t think they expected us to eat so many pancakes! Many of the kids had three or four pancakes and they were a great hit. We were all so comfortable in our pj’s and this was an awesome way to end the school year.  Thank you to the many parents who volunteered to help during the breakfast. We really appreciate you!

Thank You Families of Div. 16!

January 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Dear Families of Division 16,

Thank you so much from both of us! We were so grateful and inspired by your kindness and generosity during the holiday season.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year and that your holiday season was filled with love, warmth, and cheerful celebration! We look forward to seeing you this week.

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness this holiday!

With Gratitude,

Kelly & Anita

The Grinch

December 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

December is here! The Grinch Art Activity:

For this art lesson we did a step by step directed drawing of the Grinch. We learned how to draw all of the parts together. The students particularly loved his huge grin! The next day, we coloured our Grinch using a new medium, oil pastels, as they have such an intense hue. We talked about the colours to use for the Grinch and how to fully fill in all of the sections (we had to take breaks, as our hands got tired – students had to press hard with the pastels.) The students were all proud of their own Grinch and they look awesome together. It’s amazing how one lesson can produce 18 different Grinches! We will read the story next week.

Big Idea: Inquiry through the arts creates opportunities for risk taking

First Peoples Principles of Learning:

  • Learning takes time and patience

Curricular Competencies:

  • Explore elements, processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, and techniques of the arts
  • Develop processes and technical skills in a variety of art forms to refine artistic abilities

Content:

  • elements of design: line, shape, texture, colour, form

Core Competency: Creative Thinking

  • Creative growth requires patience, readiness to take risks, and willingness to try new approaches

Learning involved:

  • Students learned the significance of following step-by-step instructions, including learning to draw each section of the Grinch
  • Students learned how to outline their Grinch with a sharpie
  • Students chose their shade of green and coloured the Grinch carefully by fully filling in each section
  • Students will respond in writing to what they would do to make the Grinch grin

Peace Is…

November 9, 2023 / / 1 Comment

This week, students participated in a “Peace Is” art project. As a class community, we engaged in a meaningful discussion about what peace means to us and when we feel peaceful. We also read a story called Why We Remember, which was written by some students in Manitoba. Colour by colour, I taught the students how to do the background of the art using chalk pastel. Using the side of a piece of chalk, we pushed the colours up onto our paper in sections. We then blended them together in an upwards motion using our fingers. The goal was to make the earth and the sky. This was the messy part of the art project and the kids loved it! We then put what brings us peace on our doves, and drew poppies to put onto our art. In the process, we learned that art takes time and patience. Isn’t their art stunning?

Big Idea: People connect to the hearts and minds of others in a variety of places and times through the arts 

First Peoples Principles of Learning:

  • Learning involves time and patience

Curricular Competencies:

  • Explore elements, processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, and techniques of the arts
  • Create artistic works collaboratively using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play

Core Competencies:

Positive Personal and Cultural Identity:

  • I am aware of different aspects of myself. I can identity people, places, and things that are important to me.

Creative Thinking:

  • Creative growth requires patience, readiness to take risks, and willingness to try new approaches

Content:

  • processes, materials, technologies, tools, and techniques to support arts activities

Learning involved:

  • Students learned that in a peaceful classroom, they can all create something beautiful 
  • Students learned the significance of following step-by-step instructions with careful considerations when engaging in art activities using mixed media

Measurement Fun!

November 7, 2023 / / 2 Comments

In Math, we are learning to measure objects using non-standard and standard units of measurement. For this activity, students measured various objects around the classroom using a uniform non-standard unit of measurement: Counting Cubes. Students worked in pairs to measure a chosen object around the classroom and record their findings. In the process, we learned that learning is experiential as we explored to choose and measure objects around the classroom.

Big Idea: Objects have attributes that can be measured and compared.  

First Peoples Principles of Learning: 

  • Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational

Curricular Competencies: 

  • Develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play and problem solving
  • Develop and use multiple strategies to engage in problem solving
  • Communicate mathematical thinking in concrete, pictorial, and symbolic ways

Content:  

  • Direct measurement with uniform non-standard units

Core Competency: Communication – Collaborating 

Profile 4: I can confidently interact and build relationships with other group members to further shared goals.  

  • I can identify and apply roles and strategies to facilitate group work.
  • I can plan with others and adjust our plan according to the group’s purpose.

Learning Involved: 

  • Students experimented with the concept of measuring using uniform non-standard units
  • Students learned the importance of accurately recording their findings on a data sheet
  • Students learned to collaborate with a partner in identifying roles and applying strategies to reach a shared goal

Halloween Directed Drawing and Measurement

November 5, 2023 / / 1 Comment

In Math, we are learning to measure objects using standard units. For this activity, we started with a directed drawing of Frankenstein. The students followed my step by step instructions on how to create him. We then outlined him, decided on our colours and coloured him. Once that was complete, we measured the different parts of Frankenstein using a cm ruler. Students were very helpful in assisting others with their accurate measuring. Don’t they look awesome? Ask your child their favourite part of their drawing.

Big Idea:

  • Inquiry through the arts creates opportunities for risk taking
  • Objects have attributes that can be measured and compared

First Peoples Principles of Learning:

  • Learning takes patience and time
  • Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational

Curricular Competencies:

  • Explore elements, processes, materials, technologies, tools, and techniques of the arts
  • Develop processes and technical skills in a variety of art forms to refine artistic abilities
  • Represent mathematical ideas in concrete, pictorial, and symbolic forms
  • Develop and use multiple strategies to engage in problem solving

Content:

  • Elements of design: line, shape, texture, colour, form
  • Principles of design: pattern, repetition, rhythm, contrast
  • Direct measurement with standard metric units

Core Competencies:

Communication – Collaborating

  • Profile 4: I can confidently interact and build relationships with other group members to further shared goals.

Creative Thinking

  • Creative growth requires patience, readiness to take risks, and willingness to try new approaches

Learning involved:

  • Students learned the significance of following step-by-step instructions
  • Students demonstrated increasingly sophisticated application and/or engagement of curricular content
  • Students experimented with the concept of accurately measuring using standard metric units
  • Students learned the importance of accurately recording information found on their data sheets

The Best Part of Me

November 1, 2023 / / 1 Comment

This cross-curricular activity (art and writing) was inspired by the book “The Best Part of Me” by Wendy Ewald. In this book, an award-winning photographer asked several children “What is the best part of you?”, and presents their answers in sometimes funny, sometimes moving ways. The author takes striking black-and-white photographs of each child.

In a similar manner, students chose and then sketched their “best” body part, using only a pencil and then a sharpie. In addition to the art activity, students then wrote about their best body part and why they like it so much.  I took photos of the part of them they like the best. Those black-and-white photos were printed and mounted with their pictures and writing.

Big Ideas: Creative expression develops our unique identity and voice.

First Peoples Principles of Learning: Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.

Curricular Competencies:

  • Explore personal experience, community, and culture through arts activities
  • Demonstrate awareness of the role that story  plays in personal, family, and community identity
  • Engage actively as listeners, viewers, and readers, as appropriate, to develop understanding of self, identity, and community
  • Plan and create a variety of communication forms for different purposes and audiences

Content: Elements of design – line, shape, texture, colour

Please share The Best Part of Me again with your child and discuss their thinking:

Nature Walk

October 14, 2023 / / 0 Comments

On Wednesday, we took our learning outside for a nature walk with Ms Ballarin’s class. We look forward to many opportunities this year to provide students with outside learning lessons. We asked your child to discuss with you what they discovered on our walk down to the park and to share why they picked their three different items. The students in their groups were encouraged to guess which area of the park or walk that their items came from. Stay tuned for more outdoor learning and for more information about our upcoming tree study.

Big Ideas:

  • Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
  • Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared
  • Effective collaboration relies on clear, respectful communication
  • Designs grow out of natural curiosity

Curricular Competencies:

  • Explain how participation in outdoor activities supports connections with the community and environment
  • Use Social Studies inquiry processes and skills to ask questions; gather, interpret and analyze ideas; and communicate findings and decisions
  • Engage in problem-solving experiences that are connected to place, story, cultural practices, and perspectives relevant to local First Peoples communities, the local community, and other cultures
  • Demonstrate curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world
  • Experience and interpret the local environment
  • Compare observations with those of others
  • Generate and introduce new or refined ideas when problem solving

Learning Involved:

  • Experience and interpret the local environment
  • Exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding
  • Develop and use multiple strategies to engage in problem solving
  • Recognize the relationships between people and the environment in different communities
  • Compare observations with predictions through discussion

First Peoples Principles of Learning:

Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors

  • Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational

Core Competencies:

Critical Thinking

  • I can ask questions and consider options. I can use my observations, experience, and imagination to draw conclusions and make judgments

Creative Thinking

  • I get new ideas when I play and explore

Communication

  • I can share my ideas and questions
  • I can listen to others

Social Responsibility

  • I am kind to others and our environment

We are thankful for…

October 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This week, the students completed a directed drawing of a turkey, following my instructions on the white board.  We brainstormed as a class all of the things we are thankful for. The students then chose the things they are most thankful for in their lives and put those words onto their turkey feathers. The students chose how to colour their turkeys and use a fine liner to make their words “pop”. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and an enjoyable (sunny) long weekend.

Big Idea: 

  • Inquiry through the arts creates opportunities for risk taking

First Peoples Principles of Learning:

  • Learning takes patience and time

Curricular Competencies:

  • Explore elements, processes, materials, technologies, tools, and techniques of the arts
  • Develop processes and technical skills in a variety of art forms to refine artistic abilities

Content:

  • elements of design: line, shape, texture, colour, form
  • principles of design: pattern, repetition, rhythm, contrast
  • exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding
  • through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world

Core Competency: Creative Thinking

  • Creative growth requires patience, readiness to take risks, and willingness to try new approaches

Learning involved:

  • Students learned the significance of following step-by-step instructions
  • Students demonstrated increasingly sophisticated application and/or engagement of curricular content
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